Business Interests: No Health Care Reform

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Other Groups Spend Millions on TV Ads to Thwart Legislation

(AP)  Eleven of the nation's largest business groups are beginning a multimillion-dollar TV ad campaign that says the health overhaul legislation in the House would raise taxes and worsen the economy without curbing medical expenses.

"Over $500 billion in crushing tax increases. But nothing to control rising health care costs," says the ad, which is to begin running Monday evening on national cable TV and in 19 states. It calls the legislation "a bill America can't afford to pay."

Special Report: Health Care Reform

The commercial is the latest example of stepped-up opposition by large segments of the business community as the House and Senate prepare to vote on Democratic bills revamping the nation's health care system.

Calling themselves Employers for a Healthy Economy, the coalition of sponsoring groups ranges from the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small businesses, to organizations representing large corporations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The House plans to vote on the Democratic-written legislation this week. Senate Democratic leaders have not written a final version of their legislation.

[pubsrtoast]

Apparently the billions being spent by big business to lobby government suggests that corporate taxes are waaaayyyy to low. Time for these corporate ********* start paying their fair share.

[stuart-johns2]

Anyone surprised?

[pubsrtoast]

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

[bubbadubba]

Attention slaves - your corporate masters who control the US and their propaganda hosts have spoken now obey!

[timdgrim]

The Insurance lobby used millions in support of this campaign. That's the money they ripped off from their customers by declining to pay for claims. Scumbags Incorporated, all of them.

[searingtruth]

We must end the predatory Health Destruction Industry in one fell swoop, lest one more innocent life than already condemned be sacrificed to profit.

Single payer health care for all Americans is the only just practice, and solution.
SearingTruth


"Truth is defined by the weakest of us who must suffer through it."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave

[adasher1]

Some peeps have no idea how little taxes big business actually pays. Do some research into who pays taxes. Research the fortune 500's and add up all the taxes they pay then compare that to the taxes that the prols pay. You;ll be surprised I suspect, based on your comment that big business pays taxes.......

[burneb]

Perhaps these "business groups," which include a lot of insurance companies, should be suggesting viable ways to control rising health care costs, since that is a major concern for both supporters and opponents of health care reform. Instead of just carping about any meaningful reform proposed.

Unlike the 1990's, these "business groups" will be missing a lot of corporate donations for ads this time around however, from those who must compete internationally. Like the auto makers who found they were shooting themselves in the feet by opposing a national health care system in the U.S., and have been saddled with the costs of our present 47th-best system. They've been getting kicked around by auto makers from countries that have national health care systems.

[searingtruth]

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to The Republican Citizens of Washington County, Maryland, March 31, 1809

A Future of the Brave

[askagain]

reveal4 - They watch out for millions of employees. Not everyone can work for government. Millions of people pay their mortgages, their car payments, their food bills, and their children's educations from the employment provided by corporations and businesses. People always have the option of starting their own businesses if they don't like working for other people. From the looks of homes people own and automobiles people drive, it appears the system is treating them pretty well.

[reveal4]

Rush Limbaugh should be the spokesperson for this business coalition. He's Mr. Chamber of Commerce.

[reveal4]

Actually, come to think of it...Rush Limbaugh is the primary spokesperson for this coalition of businesses.